Travel Guides

Whether you enjoy shopping normally or not, shopping at some of the legendary destinations in the US can be quite exciting and fun. Of course in order to properly shop you have to have a fair amount of money to spend, but window shopping can be fun as well. If you’re looking for a fresh new kind of vacation, consider the destinations below:

1. Mall of America, Minneapolis

Almost everyone has heard of the Mall of America, but many people have yet to experience it. This 520+ store behemoth is the grand-daddy of all shopping malls. Literally everything you could possibly think of is available for sale at the Mall of America. Obviously due to the massive tourism industry surrounding the Mall, prices are fairly high. However, for most people, the experience is well worth the price. If you can’t afford to drop much money, visiting the Mall of America can still be very fun, even if you only go for a day. There are so many activities and things to see that you will find it hard to get bored.

If you are thinking about going on a Caribbean cruise for this years vacation then a stop to Antigua is one of
the highlights, as this stunning island is packed full of idyllic tropical beaches and warm turquoise waters.

Antigua also has a fascinating history and was once an important colonial base for the British Empire, with
the Royal Navy operating strategic Head Quarters out of English Harbour, and the remains of this impressive
naval past can be seen in the historic Nelson’s Dockyard and the old quarters and forts of Georgian Harbour.
You can also see the remains of the great sugar empire that was once run out of the Caribbean on Antigua,
and old plantations and mills are dotted around the islands.

Antigua beaches are many and are wonderful

Lonely Planet’s News and Travel Trends: November 2009

Lonely Planet Insider

We asked our global community of staff and authors “What is your favorite city to gorge yourself with food?” Here are the results:

#1 Tie between New York City and Singapore

New York and Singapore top the list for their wide range of options: from cheap street food to pricey fine dining you can just eat and eat and eat and then, eat some more. And both cities have such an international flair- whether you are craving Middle Eastern or Chinese, Italian or Mexican, you can find a top notch place to get it in either New York City or Singapore.

#2 Tie between Rome and Paris

No surprise here! Rome is well-loved by our staff and authors for being a city full of pizzas, pastas, wine and gelato. And what can be said about Paris that hasn’t been said already? Paris is a decadent food-lovers dream.

New look for Swissôtel Le Plaza Basel

Basel, November 2009 – Basel’s largest 5-star hotel, Swissôtel Le Plaza Basel, has a glittering new look right on time for its 25th anniversary. The hotel by Basel Exhibition Centre has been completely refurbished and now sports a contemporary new image featuring attractive cutting-edge design.

Discerning business travellers and holidaymakers can now choose from 238 beautifully appointed new-look guest rooms and suites. The hotel also features business centres on the foyer of each floor, new LCD TVs and wireless internet access throughout.

The ô Bar at Swissôtel Le Plaza has also had a complete contemporary makeover, and provides a relaxed ambience in which to pass the time, with culinary temptations including original combinations such as salmon sashimi with lime soy sauce, along with traditional fare such as the mini veal sausage with pretzel and beer. The menu is rounded off with sweet treats from the pâtisserie, which connoisseurs can enjoy with a coffee or tea in front of the open fire in the lobby.

Shangri-La Hotel, Wenzhou Celebrates With A Grand Opening Package

19 Nov 2009 Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, celebrates the grand opening of Shangri-La Hotel, Wenzhou with an opening rate of RMB888 per night for a deluxe room. Valid until 28 February 2010, the opening rate includes daily breakfast and marks the completion of all facilities at the hotel, which is one of three Shangri-La properties in China’s southern Zhejiang province.

Located on the southeast coast of China, between the two economic zones of the Pearl River and Yangtze River deltas, Wenzhou is the economic, cultural and communications centre of the province. It has been a principal trading port in China since the Tang Dynasty and is also well known for the production of small commodities and crafts including boxwood carving and embroidery. The area surrounding Wenzhou is renowned for its natural beauty including the landscapes of the Yadang Mountain and Nanxi River.

Fonda, NY – As the holiday season approaches the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce wants to remind everyone of the resources they have available to make planning easier.

“Whether you are staying home for the holidays or traveling the Chamber has many free resources that can assist you with your travel needs,” states Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Tourism Director. ”If you have company coming or need to entertain your children while on school break, the Montgomery County event calendar can provide many ideas.” Attraction brochures and county maps are great supplements to the calendar.

“Several attractions are closed for their typical season, but many offer fantastic holiday events such as Elves Night Out in Canajoharie, Fort Klock’s St. Nicholas Day, and the Festival of Trees at the GFWC Century Club. The event calendar and up-to-date tourism website calendar list upcoming concerts, light displays, and many other winter and holiday activities,” adds DaBiere-Gibbs.

Get into a Christmas mood and visit London’s historic buildings with the London Sightseeing Pass

Take some lessons from Scrooge and save some pennies this Christmas, courtesy of the London Sightseeing Pass.

While the capital’s festive lights celebrate the new animated movie version of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, visitors can experience some real Dickensian sights with one handy entry ticket.

For example, start your journey with a trip to St Paul’s Cathedral, built between 1675 and 1710 and widely considered to be a crowning achievement of the glittering career of Sir Christopher Wren.

Visit Apsley House, designed by Robert Adam and built between 1771 and 1778. Considered one of London’s foremost grand houses it is best known as the home of the Duke of Wellington after his historic victory over Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815.

Lots more ‘Family Active’ holiday capacity with PGL’s new Liddington adventure centre

In the 2010 Family Active brochure, PGL is highlighting a brand new adventure centre – Liddington in Wiltshire – which will offer activity holidays for parents and children during school holidays.

This former four-star hotel offers a truly outstanding combination of comfort, exceptional facilities and high quality activities for the whole family. Opening in early spring 2010, there are over 150 acres of beautiful grounds to accommodate a comprehensive range of activities, including zip wire, giant swing, raft building, canoeing, vertical challenge and tunnel trail, to name just a few. Liddington also benefits from being in a prime, easy-to-reach location only minutes from junction 15 of the M4.

When it comes to relaxation time, the centre boasts a luxurious lounge bar, cinema room, modern dining room and a large, indoor space for evening entertainment.